Searchlight

Searchlight is a former mining town in Southern Nevada, between Boulder City and Laughlin.

Understand
Searchlight was founded as a mining town shortly after prospector George Frederick Colton struck gold in the area in 1857. He apparently used a searchlight (type of lantern) and the town took its name from that.

In 1907, composer and pianist Scott Joplin wrote the song Searchlight Rag after the town because he and some friends went prospecting there. You may recognize it from the popular video game Rollercoaster Tycoon.

In 2010, the town was depicted in the video game Fallout: New Vegas along with nearby Goodsprings and Primm. Situated in the southeastern corner of the in-game map, the Camp Searchlight had become heavily irradiated due to sabotage by the Roman-inspired Caesar's Legion faction.

Climate
Searchlight has a typical desert climate with hot days and cold nights. It is constantly arid with little rainfall, hot summers and warm winters.

By car

 * From Boulder City – Take the US-93 west, then the US-95 south.
 * From Laughlin – Take the SR-163 west, then the US-95 north.
 * From Primm – Take the I-15 south, then the SR-164 east.

By plane
is unmanned and has no services.

There are charter and seasonal flights from some American and Canadian cities to the nearby  in Bullhead City, Arizona across the river from Laughlin. The airport is not served by any major airline.

Las Vegas has  and  (formerly McCarran International Airport).

Gambling
Searchlight has a few opportunities for gambling from its small casinos.



Eat
Searchlight has two restaurants: Denny's and a McDonald's.



Drink




Sleep
Searchlight is a small town with RV parks and motels being the only accommodation provided. There are large hotels in Primm and Laughlin:



Go next

 * Boulder City – about north of Searchlight on the US-95. A town created originally to house the workers for the iconic Hoover Dam.
 * Laughlin – about to the southeast of Searchlight on the US-95 then SR-163. Nevada's most southern town. Has many hotel-casinos and is the third most visited location after Las Vegas and Reno.
 * Primm – about to the northwest of Searchlight on the SR-164 then I-15. A town on the border between Nevada and California, known for its Desperado roller coaster (the tallest in the state) and lottery store. The town has three hotel-casinos all run by Primm Valley Resorts.